For a middle school student council to be effective, it must address the unique behaviors of and situations that arise for adolescents. The development of decision-making skills, conflict resolution skills, and cooperative learning and working not only provides a framework for success as a council, but also enables students to maximize their own…

A recently desegregated high school student subsystem in a Deep South urban center is examined in this paper. It was found that although court ordered desegregation paired two high school populations, it did not effect racial boundaries. The whites, largely because they had been attending the school prior to desegregation, have been able to…

This report describes results of a study of secondary school student participation in extracurricular activities. The activity offerings were identified and classified into eleven groups: 1) class-related, 2) athletics, 3) music, 4) school services, 5) drama, 6) school publications, 7) personal interests, 8) honor, 9) student government, 10)…

This paper discusses the need for a quality written constitution for student government. The thought process involved in implementing democracy in the university setting is outlined in 10 steps. Members of the student government need to realize the tremendous potential of using the democratic process to resolve disagreements. Each of the 10…

The United Nations' Child Friendly Cities movement is committed to implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child. School boards can participate by augmenting a safe physical environment with a policy environment that treats children with respect; encouraging meaningful participation in school governance; recognizing and addressing the…

Examines the benefits associated with involvement in campus governance. Discusses implications for enhancing student learning through participation in governance structures and processes. Asserts that participation in campus governance is linked to desirable outcomes for individual students and to positive contributions to the welfare of the…

Discusses techniques that teachers can use to help students better understand classroom rules and the reasons for them. Suggests that teachers can use "class meetings" to get students involved in the rule-making process, discussing norms of behavior, asking reflective questions of students, and building classroom unity and cooperation. (MDM)

Asserts that students can make sound decisions regarding educational change. Discusses the shift from adult to student-led decision making in a California middle school's student council program. Describes activities organized by the student council and the resulting growth of student responsibility. (CFR)

Constitutional implications of the University of Massachusetts' establishment and termination of a legal services office, and a student challenge to its closure, are examined, focusing on the court's decision to disregard forum analysis and instead apply subsidy analysis, which almost predetermined the final holding. (MSE)

The First Amendment rights provided to journalists--freedom of speech and of the press--are fundamental beliefs held by Americans. What students learn in the government class, however, may not be what they learn as editors-in-chief of student newspapers. U.S. schools are being charged with the censorship of student publications at an…

This report gives the findings of two surveys of high school seniors on their views of leadership, conducted for Sylvan Learning Centers and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. One survey was conducted by mail with students who were named as one of their states' Sylvan/NASSP "Century III Leaders." The second survey was…

The author of this brief examination of student participation in school policy formation recommends that schools committed to increasing student participation provide opportunities for students to work collaboratively with teachers and administrators in decision making groups, for students to influence decision making from groups solely of their…

This student code has statewide application to South Carolina Technical Colleges and Technical Education Centers (TEC). Provisions are divided into eight articles: (1) General Provisions, including the purpose of a student code, the precept of internal solution of problems, and definitions; (2) Student Rights, including Bill of Rights protections;…

The status of student participation in Council for Cultural Cooperation (CCC) nations is examined, based on questionnaire replies from Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. After a brief review of the situation from…

Social control in school situations is a restrictive and constraining process that can take both overt and covert forms. Examples of both overt and unobtrusive control mechanisms include such things as study halls, student council, elementary school door guards, and substitute teachers. The recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance is one ritual of…